PACIFIC OCEAN (July 8, 2014) An amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) assigned to Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, embarks the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) following small boat operations during the at-sea phase of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray)